Cold therapy isn’t just a trend. According to Danish researcher Susanna Søberg, it’s a powerful way to reconnect the body and mind with their natural resilience. Her scientific work—published at the University of Copenhagen, among other institutions—shows how controlled exposure to cold can literally retrain your body to become stronger, more energetic, and more resilient to stress.
1. Brown fat – your built-in heater
Our bodies contain two types of fat: white fat (energy storage) and brown fat (heat-producing fat).
Søberg discovered that regularly experiencing cold activates this brown fat, causing your body to produce heat by burning fat.
BROWN FAT AND METABOLISM🔥🔥🔥
If you use it, it will keep working. The Brown fat increase if we use it. The more we have the higher our thermogenesis (heat production due to metabolism).
Brown fat will benefit you in your older days. If you don’t use it- you will have to rely… pic.twitter.com/S1hFAoxnpi— Susanna Søberg, PhD (@SusannaSberg1) September 28, 2023
The result?
A more active metabolism, improved energy balance, and a body that learns to better cope with temperature changes. Her research showed that just 11 minutes of cold exposure per week, spread over several sessions, is enough to achieve positive effects.
2. Cold as training for your nervous system
When you step into an ice bath, your body immediately goes into stress mode: your breathing quickens, your heart rate increases.
But if you learn to stay calm, you train your nervous system to stay calm in stressful situations—a skill that also comes in handy outside the bath.
Søberg calls this a form of natural stress regulation: the cold as a mirror of your mental strength.
“Cold exposure is not about punishment—it’s about discovering how strong you really are.”
— Susanna Søberg
3. The Søberg Principle: First Cold, Then Warm Up
One of her most famous insights is the Søberg Principle:
First go into the cold, and then let yourself warm up naturally without immediately resorting to a sauna or hot shower.
By allowing the body to produce its own heat, you enhance the effect of cold therapy on your fat burning and energy expenditure.
After the ice bath, you can move gently, breathe deeply, or walk. This process of self-healing makes all the difference.
4. Small steps, big impact
You don’t have to go to extremes. Start with a cold shower, a dip in open water, or a short soak in an ice bath.
According to Søberg, it’s all about consistency—a few minutes, several times a week. By practicing regularly, you build not only physical resilience but also mental clarity.
5. A Natural Reset
In a world where we constantly seek comfort, cold helps us remember how strong we truly are. Cold therapy not only improves recovery after exertion but also brings you closer to yourself. It’s a moment of silence, breath, and awareness—exactly what Khione’s philosophy is all about.
Discover your cold ritual
Whether you start with a short cold shower or opt for a fully controlled experience with our CoolCube or CoolPool, it’s always about one thing: getting back to your body’s essence.
Discover our collection of cold therapy products and experience the power of natural cold — inspired by the science of Susanna Søberg.
